We've seen kiwami japan make sharp instruments from such things as dried fish, wood, and aluminum foil. Now, the YouTuber is using green gelatin as the medium to make "the sharpest jello kitchen knife in the world." Because, sure, why not?

(I can't be the only one who was reminded of this early 1990s hit by Green Jell-O, I mean Green Jellÿ.)

Previously: kiwami japan Read the rest

A small hand pump is very convenient for bicyclists, but can a bike pump be weaponized? YouTuber JoergSprave from The Slingshot Channel gives it a shot. Read the rest

For its first five years, Make: magazine ran a column called "MakeShift," edited by Lee D. Zlotoff, creator of the TV show MacGyver. The idea was to present Make: readers with a MacGyver-esque challenge in each issue, collect all of the submitted solutions, and then publish an analysis, along with all of the top submitters' notes and sketches, on the Make: website. The "MakeShift" challenge asked readers to ponder such conundrums as how to contain a viral outbreak on a plane, how to charge your phone with nothing but camping gear and a propane torch, how to fend off a zombie attack, and how to get help after a very bad fall.

The reader-responses were impressive. People really put a lot of thought into their solutions, sending copious notes and drawings. And in fully explaining the challenges and ranking the solutions in the follow-up website articles, Lee and Make: editor Bill Lidwell shared a lot of great MacGyvering tips and nutshell science and engineering.

Sadly, years ago, the "MakeShift" columns disappeared when a dedicated magazine area of the Make: site was discontinued. So, a few weeks ago, Make: decided to bring back "MakeShift," now publishing re-constituted columns every Wednesday. Here are the first three posted.

You're 50 miles into mountainous woods, your battery is dead, and there's a big snowstorm bearing down. How can you revive your dead battery? On, and it's a automatic transmission.

You're in a village in East Asia and the water has become dangerously contaminated. Read the rest

YouTuber Mario Wienerroither has done another great Foley reimagining, this time with musicless MacGyver. Foley artist? More like FAUXley artist, amirite? Read the rest